Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 7.djvu/33

( 21 ) ,

1699.

ERUSE my leaves through every part, And think thou seest my owner's heart, Scrawl'd o'er with trifles thus, and quite As hard, as senseless, and as light; Expos'd to every coxcomb's eyes, But hid with caution from the wise. Here you may read, "Dear charming saint!" Beneath, "A new receipt for paint:" Here, in beau-spelling, "True tel deth;" There, in her own, "For an el breth:" Here, "Lovely nymph, pronounce my doom!" There, "A safe way to use perfume:" Here, a page fill'd with billets-doux; On t'other side, "Laid out for shoes" — "Madam, I die without your grace" — "Item, for half a yard of lace." Who that had wit would place it here, For every peeping fop to jeer? In power of spittle and a clout, Whene'er he please to blot it out; And then, to heighten the disgrace, Clap his own nonsense in the place. Whoe'er expects to hold his part In such a book, and such a heart, If he be wealthy, and a fool, Is in all points the fittest tool; Of whom it may be justly said, He's a gold pencil tipp'd with lead.